Combined whiffletree hook and ferrule.



M. E. GROSS.

COMBINED WHIFFLE'IRBB HOOK AND FERRULE.

APPLIUATION TILED APE. 3,1913.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

COLUMBIA ILANDGRAPII cu, WASHINGTON. 0. c.

nnrrnn sra'rs ra rn'nr orrien MARTHA E. GROSS, OF SARDIS, MISSISSIPPI.

COMBINED WHIFFLETREE HOOK AND FER/RULE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 3, 1913.

, Patented Nov. 18,1913.

Serial No. 758,566.

The rimar ob'cct of the invention is to form a trace hook of this character from sheet metal, in such shape that the maximum eiliciency is obtained, consistent with IIllIlll'l'lllIll cost of production.

Another object of the invention is to provide fastening means on the hook which may be quickly and easily manipulated, for releasing the trace, but which avoids accidental disengagement of the trace.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination trace hook and ferrule of this character which may be fitted to whiflietrees of different sizes, and, a further object is to provide for automatically tightening the ferrule on the whillletree.

Other objects and advantages may be recited hereinafter and in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which supplement this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view centrally and longitudinally through my improved device. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the device shown in Fig. 1 is formed, and, Fig. 3 is a fragmental detail view of a slightly modified form of the invention.

In these drawings, in which similar reference numerals correspond with similar parts, throughout the several views, the main body or blank is designated by the numeral 5. The blank is formed by stamping from relatively heavy sheet metal, and tapers gradually on two opposite sides, toward its median line, from end to end, its broad end being preferably several times broader than its narrow end. This broad end is provided with a lateral slot (3, disposed at ri ht angles to said median line, and I may provide an aperture 7, which may be circular, as shown, or of any other suitable shape. I may also provide the blank with a longitudinal slot 8, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

In fornling the ferrule, the blank is bent until its narrow end enters the slot 6 and extends therclhrough until the relatively broad end is formed into a hollow cylindrical or tubular portion 9 which is sulliciently large to [it the end of a large sized whillletree. The narrow end is then formed into a cylindrical or tubular portion 10, and

the blank is then curved at a point between the cyllnder 10 and aperture 7, so that the relatively narrow end extends back toward the relatively wide end, so as to form a hook 11.

A spring keeper member 12 is formed from sheet metal, preferably spring steel, and one edge of this keeper member is bifurcated at 13, and the furcations thereof are curved into tubular form, as indicated by dotted lines at 14-. These tubular elements l-l are separated a distance approxi matcly equal to the length of the tubular element 10, and are axially alincd therewith, so that a pivot 15 combines with these tubular elements for forming a hinge joint which connects the hook 11 and the keeper 12. The keeper is formed with a lump 16, preferably by depressing the keeper 12 from the upper side, as indicated at 1.7. This lump is of a suitable size to lit snugly within the aperture 7, and from this lump the free end of the keeper extends upward and rearward in the direction of the cylinder 9, and it may be suitably curved at 18 for fitting the finger of an operator, so that the keeper may be swung on its pivot 15 and disengaged from the aperture 7. \Vhen thus disengaged, a ring or other suitable element on the trace (not shown), may be passed over the keeper 12, and engaged with the hook 11, whereupon the keeper may be quickly and securely engaged with the aperture 7, as described and shown.

l" may secure the ferrule to the whiflletree 19 by any suitable means, and 'l' herewith illustrate suitable means, consisting of a wedge element 20 which extends through the slot 8 and bears against the cylinder 9 adjacent to the slot (3. edge-keys Q0 of this character may be formed of sheet metal, at a relatively slight expense, and several of such keys may accompany each of these improved deviccs, said wedge-keys being of different sizes, or else, each wedge-key may 

